by Phil Keren | editor Published: September 11, 2016 12:00 AM

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Cuyahoga Falls -- National Church Residences Bath Road celebrated its 25th anniversary on Aug. 26 with a program that included comments from organizational and city leaders, as well as tours of the facilities and refreshments.

About 80 people attended a program marking the facility's silver anniversary.

Mayor Don Walters presented a proclamation to Mark Lewis, executive director of the residential health care facility, which is located at 300 E. Bath Road. Lewis has served as the facility's leader for 10 years.

"I was very fortunate in 2006 to be selected to this position," said Lewis at the gathering under a tent in the facility's parking lot. "I felt very blessed, not only because I was able to return back to Northeast Ohio/ but also to work for such a great organization that does great things and also the team of people here at Bath Road, what a fantastic team that we have here."

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"They're always there for the community," said Walters. "That's more than a normal business does."

"You're a very big part of our community," said Laura Petrella, CEO of the Cuyahoga Falls Chamber of Commerce. "You guys are constantly stepping up to the plate for community and business activities / This is a first-class organization."

Petrella noted National Church Residences received the chamber's 2016 Business of the Year award. Lewis added the facility earned a five-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.

Tanya Hahn, senior vice president and chief financial officer for National Church Residences, noted the facility functions as "a residential health care facility that specializes in short-term rehab," or other short-term care that someone may need following an injury or surgery, as well as longer term care.

City Council member Russ Iona (R-8) shared how the facility helped provide care for his mother on a couple of different occasions after she was injured.

"If I'm grading them on a 1 to 10, I'd give them about 11 or 12," said Iona.